Encourage Responsible Growth in the Riverside Avondale Historic District

On October 27, 2011, the City of Jacksonville's Planning Commission granted an Administrative Deviation to allow an 11,000+ sq. ft. restaurant to be built without any required parking in a small-scale Commercial Character Area (King Street Corridor); at the same time, it granted the applicant an Exception for a 249-seat full alcohol bar and restaurant with outdoor sales and service. RAP is appealing this decision to the Land Use and Zoning Committee.

We believe the Expansion of Kickbacks Gastropub, as presently proposed, is too large and too intense of a use for this 0.14 acre site. We additionally believe the Planning Commission's decision was not in keeping with the intent or written language of the Riverside Avondale Zoning Overlay. The Administrative Deviation will set a precedent for other non-contributing properties being demolished and new structures being built to similar scale and intensity. An 11,000 sq. ft. 249-seat restaurant is not a neighborhood-scale establishment. When built beside an already existing 170-seat, 3,004 sq. ft. restaurant, to which the new restaurant will be connected internally, it is even less so.

A reduction of the size and number of seats of the proposed expansion would mitigate its effect on the small Park and King commercial corridor and surrounding residential areas.

RAP is committed to promoting the district’s existing businesses and encouraging new development that is compatible with the neighborhood’s character and scale. Commercial expansion must be pursued responsibly and in balance with the rights of surrounding residents.

We ask Councilman Jim Love, members of City Council, and members of the City of Jacksonville Land Use and Zoning Committee to support RAP in their appeal to scale back this restaurant.

Encourage Responsible Growth in the Riverside Avondale Historic District

The Expansion of Kickbacks Gastropub, as presently proposed, is too large and too intense of a use. It will set a precedent for other non-contributing properties being demolished and new structures being built to this scale and intensity. An 11,000 sq. ft. 249 seat restaurant is not a neighborhood scale establishment. Added to an already existing 170 seat 3,004 restaurant, less so.

A reduction of the size and number of seats of the proposed expansion would minimize its effect on the small Park and King commercial corridor and surrounding residential areas. I support local business, however commercial expansion must be pursued responsibly and in balance with the rights of surrounding residents.